so I have the flu. and I am watching some awesome movies and (of course) going through some of my favorite episodes of Soul Train. I landed on an episode from the 13th season (appx. 1983-1984) with Shannon, Bobby Womack, and Patti Labelle. Crazy episode it was as one can see Fred Berry (Rerun.. R.I.P.) in the audience locking away, and the dancers show out to the Romantics' "Talking In Your Sleep" (this was when Don Cornelius was 'experimenting' with the show's formula and playing more out-and-out pop music; the dancers made it work, though!!). another dance segment (namely, the scrambleboard) features the superb Larry Levan edit of Jeffrey Osborne's "Plane Love." 

Produced initially by George Duke and written by Synth God Hawk Wolinski, this groover just might be Jeffrey's best uptempo track pre woo-woo-woo as he --unabashedly-- croons about meeting a future hookup on a plane.

here it is in it's 12-inch glory. you might agree.

Jeffrey Osborne "Plane Love" (12-inch Larry Levan Mix)

                                                    

I'm Back... OUT OF LSEVEN SQUARED...

meh. It's been quite awhile since I posted something on this blog only because "the real world" summoned to be busy. Apologies to folks who have been following FunkTrolley. I swear there will be hot stuff coming around soon.

Rick James was an awesome and quite extroverted (understatement!) figure all in his own during his life. But throughout his recording career, he was NOTHING without the synth squiggles and sax solos of the Stone City Band (not to mention, the vocal backing of the Mary Jane Girls). Sure he put them together, but the main thing was that with or without Rick, they could definitely hold their own. One plain example of this was their 1983 Out From The Shadow LP. The LP is filled with a hilarious amount of moogs, catchy lyrics, and funky rhythms. Sadly, thanks to Motown's scarce budget and Rick James' irratic behavior, this LP was close to ignored and the original members of the SCB disbanded by '86.

THE STONE CITY BAND

Lover and Only Man
Telephone
Love Hassles
( Out From The Shadows, 1983 )